From the 1963 March on Washington | Wikipedia.
“They controlled it so tight, they told those Negroes what time to hit town, how to come, where to stop, what signs to carry, what song to sing, what speech they could make, and what speech they couldn’t make; and then told them to get out town by sundown. And everyone of those Toms was out of town by sundown.”– Malcolm X’s comments regarding the March on Washington.
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
The famous March on Washington took place 60 years ago – Aug. 28, 1963. Some forces in the black community wanted it to be militant and disruptive, along the lines of what Malcolm X desired. However, because of its truly patriotic organizers, the gathering was peaceful- as well as effective.
In this way, it is the exact opposite of the 2021 fascist insurrection allegedly instigated by former President Trump (“Be there. Will be wild.”) and organized by the nationalist militias backing him (the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, etc.). The Washington “Stop the Steal” riot on January 6, 2021 was extremely violent, as described below.
The peaceful 1963 civil rights March was well coordinated, entailing an estimated 200,000 participants, both white and black. The most notable address was given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His inspiring “I Have a Dream” speech, reflecting a positive view of America’s future, has gone down into history and is one of the most memorable in our history, captured for all time digitally.
The preparation for that march was extensive, with Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin taking the lead roles in bringing together civil rights and labor to peacefully advocate for long overdue civil rights progress. Randolph, the main force behind the March, was a union organizer as well as a civil rights activist. Rustin was a unique figure and activist. A black Quaker, and former communist, he opposed war. Because of his background as a gay, socialistic pacifist, his essential role in the March has often been marginalized.
On the flip side, the 2021 attack on our Capitol will go down as one of the worst moments in American history. Our Capitol had not seen an attack of that sort since the War of 1812. As President Biden has stated: “They were a riotous mob. Insurrectionists. Domestic terrorists.”
From the start, it was fated to be violent. Five people died as a result, including one policeman. Well over 1,000 people have been indicted, including 350 who allegedly assaulted police. Over a hundred of them are charged with using a dangerous weapon to attack officers. Sentences of up to 22 years in prison have been handed down for insurrectionist leaders.
Even conservative GOP politicians knew what happened and why, although few will now openly admit it. As GOP ex-Rep. Liz Chaney said: “The president incited the mob. The president addressed the mob. He lit the flame.”
The day of the insurrection, Trump gave a speech advocating radical action, saying “You will never take back our country with weakness). Just before he took the stage, Rudy Giuliani had told the crowd “trial by combat” would be required.
As the crowd broke into the Capitol, Trump watched it on television. He took no action to stop the insurrection. When he finally did ask the rioters to leave, he also told them “I love you” and that the election was “stolen.”
As one political scientist stated, “Trump is clearly a fascist.” The label now seems not just acceptable but necessary. The facts more than prove this statement to be accurate.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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